Who We Are

Amy Wang || Executive Director

Amy Wang is a junior at the Catlin Gabel School. She joined Project Prelude in 2017 as a violin Chapter Instructor. She began playing the violin at the age of nine and took up viola at the age of thirteen. Amy played the violin in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) and joined the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) in eighth grade, where she currently performs in the viola section of the Philharmonic Orchestra. Amy now studies with Joel Belgique.

In addition to her musical endeavors, Amy is actively involved with her school's robotics team, competes on the varsity swim team, and engages in scientific research. She is passionate about access to education, participation in STEM fields, and youth innovation and entrepreneurship. She has engaged in urban studies programs, led exciting scientific experiments with middle school students, and directed a startup company during a business competition. In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading poetry, hiking, and taking road trips.

Kaylee Jeong || Music Director

Kaylee Jeong is a junior at Jesuit High School. She began her musical studies with the piano at six years old and took up the cello at eight years old. Kaylee currently studies with Dorien de Leon and sits as co-principal cellist in the Portland Youth Philharmonic's Philharmonic Orchestra. A passionate cellist, Kaylee has performed as a soloist with the Beaverton Symphony and the Willamette Falls Symphony. Most recently, she traveled to Washington, DC as a member of the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute.

Outside of music, Kaylee is passionate about creative writing, having received national recognition for her short fiction and poetry. She also volunteers with her school as an English/citizenship teacher for adults, and with THPRD's Camp Rivendale, a summer day camp for children with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, and spending time with friends. She's excited for another year with Project Prelude and can't wait to share her love of music with others!

Nate Strothkamp || Chapter Director

Nate Strothkamp is a freshman at the Oregon Episcopal School. He developed a love for the violin at age five and now studies with Carol Sindell. Nate began orchestral playing with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in the third grade, but transferred to the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) after three years. Currently, he plays with the Philharmonic and participates in their chamber orchestra (Camerata PYP). Outside of music, Nate enjoys running cross country and dedicates time to various human rights causes. Nate also participates in the Model United Nations (MUN) and Competitive Debate programs his school has to offer. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, reading, traveling, and hanging out with his friends.

Nate is a firm believer and supporter of universal music education, and hopes his time with Project Prelude will act as a step towards that goal. He volunteered as a chapter instructor last year and is thrilled to spend this next year as a chapter director.

Sara Shao || Chapter Director

Sara Shao is a senior at Westview High School. She began taking private lessons on flute with former Oregon Symphony Principal Dawn Weiss in the third grade and currently studies with Darren Cook. In middle school, she played in both a Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS) band and orchestra, which was her first experience playing with an ensemble. She now plays flute and piccolo in the Westview Wind Ensemble and actively participates in band activities. As a junior, Sara represented the U.S. (along with seven other elite musicians) at an international honor band event in Australia. The next spring, she placed 2nd at District Solo & Ensemble and went on to place in the top 10 at State. Now, as a senior, she is excited to see where this journey in music will take her next.

Maristella Tojong || Chapter Director

When I was in the third grade, a violinist named Aaron Meyer came to my elementary school and played for all of us. I vividly remember falling in love with the sound of the violin instantly. Afterwards I begged my mom to sign me up for violin lessons and I’ve been playing ever since. I love volunteering at Project Prelude because I see myself in these kids every week; their enthusiastic desire to learn is so refreshing. I’m very glad to have the opportunity to share my passion with these young students and expose music to those who have had a lack of musical education.

John Nguyen || Chapter Director

John-Baptist Nguyen is a senior at Westview High School, known for passionate teaching style and his dream of accessible music education for all. In the past, John has served as both the Principal Flutist of the Western International Band and the Westview Symphonic Band. Today, he serves as the Principal Flutist of the Westview Wind Ensemble and a Flutist of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. John currently studies with Corrie Cook and Dawn Weiss.

Aside from Project Prelude, John directs the Lavang Youth Chamber Orchestra, a student-led orchestra of Vietnamese-Americans across the Northwest. He also participates in his school's Music for Change club, performing as a live soloist at public venues to raise money for local charities. John loves spending his time teaching music to kids, and is honored to spend his last year as a Chapter Director.